After nine long years, once again Assam and the rest of the states will witness the famous Bulbul fight. In 2014, the Supreme Court banned Tamil Nadu’s Jallikattu, and on a similar track, in 2015 Bulbul’s fight in Assam’s Hajo was also banned.
About 35 Km away from Guwahati, a ritual, the Bulbul fight is believed to have started in the 17th Century in the Hayagriv Madhav Temple in Hajo. Ahom King Pramatta Singha is credited with starting the ritual in the state.
On the first day of Magh (Makar Sankranti) a Maghi Mela is organized in the temple campus where its main attraction is the Bulbul fight. On 11 December, the Assam government decided to allow the Hayagriv Madhav Temple authority to hold a Bulbul fight with some standard operating procedure.
As the day nears, the arrangers of the fight have started catching and taming the birds. In Hajo, families like Bharali Tola and Sonari Tola traditionally engage themselves in the activity. They catch Bulbul from the wild, feed them and regularly. Within a short period, these birds become friendly with their owners.
Most of the time people hold them and these birds also fearlessly play with them. These birds are trained to win the fight. One of the trainers, Charan Kalita said “This time I have caught eight birds. I am taking care of them and regularly giving training. We offer them bananas, milk, sweets, water etc.”
Another trainer from Sonari Tola said “Initially we caught 16 birds, but after observing their growth and physical condition we let 9 birds go away. Usually within four to five days, these birds are trained.”
Finally, after nine years Bulbul fight will be seen in Hajo Hayagrib Madhab temple on the Magh Bihu which falls on January 15. After the Assam cabinet’s decision, people in Hajo expressed their satisfaction and were joyous about celebrating the fight.
Happy with the decision of the Assam Cabinet, The Doloi (Head Priest) of the temple, Shivaprasad Sarma thanked the government for their initiative.
“We observe this tradition in a very religious manner. We take care of the Bulbuls nicely. Some families are traditionally involved in these rituals, catching the birds, feeding them, and keeping them at their houses. There is no cruelty done to the birds in any way.”
USE OF INTOXICATED ELEMENTS
There is a saying that on the previous evening of the Bulbul fight owners of the birds are intoxicated. At this, the Doloi said, “In the previous night of the fight, the birds are fed with some intoxicating elements, that too under strict observation of experts. Moreover, the items which intoxicate them are completely safe. So there will be no harm to the birds. Apart from that, these birds are offered fruits to eat regularly. So, in no way does it come under cruelty act. Finally, after the fight, the owners of the birds take them home, and after offering food, these birds are freed again.”
Another member of the temple committee said that not a single bird dies during or after the fight.
THE FIGHT
On the fight day, two groups from different villages reach Hayagrib Madhab temple early in the morning and after puja, they come to the fight venue arranged for the Bulbul fight.
Owners of the birds sit at both sides of a table and the moderator starts the fight. Before the day of the fight, no food is offered to the birds. At the time of fighting a banana will be kept by the side of the table. Both the fighting birds will try to eat the banana and in this process, they will start fighting.
This year organizers have announced some prizes for the winners, and the first and second runners-up. Assam’s senior minister Jayanta Malla Barua has also patronised the event.
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